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87 percent of Aucklanders still to vote

With 87 percent of Aucklanders yet to express their preference in the local body elections, Auckland Council is urging people to vote.

Voting documents went out on September 22, and only 125,294 have been received so far.

The national trend for participation in local elections has been steadily declining, but this year looks likely to see the biggest fall. At the same stage in 2010, nearly twice as many votes were already in.

Aucklanders managed to reverse this trend in 2010 with the first super city elections however, when the national average was lifted to 49 percent.

Electoral officer Bruce Thomas says it's "disappointing" to see Aucklanders are now dragging this average down.

"We're lagging well behind Wellington and Christchurch at the moment," he says. "Auckland voters are not taking the opportunity to exercise their democratic right.

"This weekend, open that envelope, choose your representatives and post off your vote."